Places to visit in Berlin

East Side Gallery - Berlin

If you are looking for a Berlin Wall experience with a slight difference, the East Side Gallery is a great place to visit. It provides you a glimpse at the former Berlin Wall & the tension it caused. While a straight comparison cannot be made to the Holocaust, similarities exist in that victims fell foul of political ideology which restricted the rights of individuals. Visit the “WWII & Beyond” Memorial & Museums page for a more extensive treatment of the artwork that exists at the site.

Reichstag Tour

This is a tour that I would recommend to anyone going to Berlin. Admittedly, the finger could be pointed at me as a teacher but this tour will not disappoint. The tour is free but you can register prior to your visit (this is recommended as it will save you time). As well as a tour of the Reichstag (with 1945 Russian graffiti thrown in), you gain access to the Dome atop of the building which is worth the trip in itself.

Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial)

The Berlin Wall Memorial is a site that has been integrated into back into everyday Berlin life. The 1.4 km stretch of land defines the former border wall which separated East & West Berlin from 1961 through to 1989. The Window of Remembrance (see video clip) and surviving 200 foot section of the wall are sobering reminders of the division that existed during the Cold war period. Visit the “WWII & Beyond” Memorial & Museums page for a more extensive collection of images of the site.

The Window of Remembrance

The Berlin Olympic Stadium

A tour for the sports minded or anyone who is interested in history. Due to the work of Leni Riefenstahl, this is a site that will forever be linked to the exploits of Jesse Owens and the propaganda of Josef Goebbels. Pay your entrance fee and you can embark on a self directed wander around the grounds. Dependent on when you are here, you may catch a football match, concert or another event that is being held on the site. There are a range of tour options available and is a relatively short rail trip from the centre of the city.

Soviet Monument, Treptower Park

Catch the S-Bahn to Treptower Park station, take your time walking through the park (situated along the Spree) before arriving at the memorial. The site was opened in 1949 to commemorate 7,000 of the 80,000 Russians killed in the Battle of Berlin and served as the central war memorial of East Germany during the DDR’s existence. See the “WWII & Beyond” Memorial & Museums page for more images of the site.

Tempelhof Airport

While not strictly a Cold War memorial, iconic images of planes landing in an attempt to counter Stalin’s Berlin Blockade are firmly linked to this airport. The Templehof was closed to air traffic in 2009 and the 953 acre site was reimagined as a state park. Visit the terminal for the history, visit the airfield for the space.

Memorials to the Victims of National Socialism

Ownership of the past is a highly commendable trait, especially when that past is less than favourable. Germany’s willingness to own their history is best summed up in both the presentation and accessibility of these memorials. Each of the sites highlight a period that illustrated the extremes of humanity. The following are sites that are worthy of a visit, be it as a mark of respect or for your own education. Some are located in Mitte while others you will need to travel outside of central Berlin.